Mazda CX-60

Mazda CX-60
The Mazda CX-60 is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda since 2022. It is the first vehicle to use Mazda's rear- and all-wheel drive platform with longitudinal engine layout categorised as Large Product Group, which includes a line-up of straight-six engines. It is also the first Mazda vehicle to feature a plug-in hybrid option.
The CX-60 is marketed in Europe, Japan, Australia and several other markets, while the North American market will receive the wider CX-70. By size, it is larger than the CX-5 and smaller than the CX-9. It is comparable in size to the CX-50, and wider but shorter in length than the CX-8.
Overview
The CX-60 was revealed on 8 March 2022 as part of Mazda's newly established "Large Product Group", which includes a range of larger vehicles using rear- and all-wheel drive layout. Due to the switch to the rear-wheel drive-based layout with longitudinal engine, Mazda is positioning the model upmarket towards vehicles from the more premium segment. Mazda Australia executive, Vinesh Bhindi, described it as a "technical tour de force" and a "step change for Mazda".
The model is a two-row vehicle which uses rear-biased, full-time all-wheel drive marketed as "i-Activ AWD" which is standard in most markets. By adopting a longitudinal engine layout, the front suspension of the CX-60 feature a double wishbone setup, while the rear gets an independent multi-link suspension.
Ceremony of the mass production of the CX-60 was held in late April 2022 in Japan, at Mazda Hofu Plant No. 2 in the Yamaguchi Prefecture. According to Mazda, production of the CX-60 for the European market began on March 15.
Features
The driver cockpit area is equipped with three displays, which consists of a full TFT LCD instrument cluster, a window head-up display (HUD) and a 12.3-inch Mazda Connect centre display without touchscreen functionality; the display can be operated through a "command control" knob.
The CX-60 is equipped with Driver Personalisation System which comprises three functions. The first function is an automatic driving position guide that uses a camera to detect the position of the driver's eyes and estimates the driver's height, then automatically adjusts the seat, steering wheel, head-up display and side mirrors accordingly. Automatic setting restoration uses facial recognition to determine which user is driving, then matches it with adjustments and settings stored in the vehicle including the driving position, audio and AC. The system can store settings for up to six people, plus guests. The last function is an ingress/egress assistance that slides the steering wheel and seat automatically when the driver is entering or exiting the vehicle.
The vehicle also features Kinematic Posture Control system which gently applies the brakes to the inside rear wheel to contain body roll.
Markets
Australia
The CX-60 for the Australian market was detailed in October 2022, while pricing was announced in November 2022. Three trims are available: Evolve, GT and Azami. Each of these trims can be paired with three engine options, which is the e-Skyactiv G 3.3 petrol mild hybrid (marketed as G40e), e-Skyactiv D 3.3 diesel mild hybrid (marketed as D50e), and the e-Skyactiv PHEV 2.5 petrol plug-in hybrid (marketed as P50e). Targeted monthly sales was set at 500 units.
Europe
The CX-60 was available in Europe since April 2022 in the sole powertrain variant, the e-Skyactiv PHEV 2.5 petrol plug-in hybrid. In July 2022, two diesel engine options joined the range, consisting of an e-Skyactiv D 3.3 diesel mild hybrid with two different tunings labeled as the 200 and 254, which produces and respectively. In this market, the CX-60 is available in four specifications: Prime, Exclusive, Takumi and Homura.
Japan
The CX-60 for the Japanese market was detailed in April 2022. It is offered with four powertrains, consisting of the base Skyactiv-G 2.5 petrol labeled as 25S, Skyactiv-D 3.3 diesel labeled as XD, e-Skyactiv D 3.3 diesel mild hybrid labeled as XD-Hybrid, and a 2.5 petrol plug-in hybrid. Two-wheel drive is available for the 25S and XD.
Philippines
The CX-60 was launched in the Philippines in June 2023, in two trims: the petrol mild hybrid 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo and the diesel mild hybrid 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo-D Sport.
Powertrain
The petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model was the first variant to be released. It uses the existing 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine combined with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery which resulting in combined outputs of and of torque. It has a towing capacity of with a claimed figure of 5.8 seconds. Electric only mode top speed is . Mazda claimed that the electric-only range is rated at . The 17.8 kWh battery can be charged in just four hours from empty to full, if connected to a normal AC charging socket capable of 220 V power.
Other engine options include two newly developed units, which are 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D diesel and 3.0-litre e-Skyactiv X petrol with Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) technology, both are straight six-cylinder units with 48 V mild hybrid system and was released in late 2022 and 2023 respectively. In October 2022, a 3.3-litre Skyactiv-G turbocharged petrol engine was announced for some markets such as Australia, producing .
The diesel engine equipped to the CX-60 features Distribution Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (DCPCI) technology. An egg-shaped combustion chambers would split the premixed air-fuel mixture into two regions inside the piston bowl. It is aimed to achieve cleaner combustion in every engine speeds and providing better fuel efficiency. Mazda claimed that the six-cylinder diesel engine is one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world with a thermal efficiency of over 40 per cent. With this diesel engine, the fuel economy of the CX-60 is rated up to under WLTC standards.
For mild hybrid models, Mazda adopted a 48 V mild hybrid system named the M Hybrid Boost. It consists of a 0.33 kWh lithium-ion battery, an inverter, a DC-to-DC converter and an electric motor/generator rated at and integrated into the transmission. The electric motor supports the engine at low loads and low engine speeds, thus improving efficiency in short distances. The battery can be recharged by the engine or via regenerative braking. If the battery is full, the surplus energy is used to power in-car electrical components.
Every model of the CX-60 is equipped with an 8-speed automatic gearbox with a multi-plate clutch and integrated electric motor/generator which replaces hydraulic converter as an input clutch in order to preserve the cornering performance of a rear-wheel drive system. The placement of the transmission was optimised to minimise the transmission tunnel width, allowing for more ideal pedal and seat placement and larger knee space beside the centre console.
Reception
The CX-60 has been compared to premium SUVs such as the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5 and Lexus NX, in addition to SUVs from regular 'mainstream' brands. According to Australian publication CarExpert, the CX-60 straddles between "the mainstream and premium mid-size SUV segments", and looked like "it’s gunning for the Germans". CarExpert noted its firm suspension that fails to dampen "road imperfections". Top Gear says Mazda is pitching the CX-60 directly at the BMW X3, while noting its cheaper price. The publication praised the efficiency of the plug-in hybrid model, while criticised the dynamics and stability of the CX-60 in comparison to the X3, concluding that "the CX-60 lacks that sense that it’s been developed with absolute attention to detail."
Safety
In a Euro NCAP testing conducted in 2022, the CX-60 received a five-star rating.
References
External links
(UK)
CX-60
Cars introduced in 2022
Mid-size crossover sport utility vehicles
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Hybrid sport utility vehicles
Partial zero-emissions vehicles
Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Cars powered by longitudinal 4-cylinder engines